US 9,808,649 B2 · Immobilization system to support an in vivo medical device

Abstract

The problem of securing the position of an internally placed medical device that extends out of the body during targeted high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy is solved by a uniquely configured immobilization system that can be utilized to stabilize medical devices placed, for example, within the uterus or cervix. During the process of transporting a patient from the location where the HDR applicator is emplaced, for example, where the tandem and ring is placed within the cervix of a patient, to the location where the treatment is actually applied to the tissue, the medical device can move out of place and in so doing cause discomfort, pain, or an ineffective treatment for the patient. The embodiments of this immobilization system can include a strap apparatus, a straddling girdle, and bracket that can be attached to a patient. This immobilization system ensures the position of an internally placed medical device during targeted HDR brachytherapy.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An immobilization system comprising:

a bracket, adapted to secure a medical device placed within a cavity in a body where some part of the medical device extends to an outside of the cavity, the bracket comprising,
a plate having an anterior end and a posterior end,
a channel wall on the plate that defines a receiver,
a slot within the channel wall through which the part of the medical device extending from the cavity passes into the receiver,
a bore through the channel wall that leads into the receiver,
a brace operably connected to the bore, where the brace is configured to advance through the bore and into the receiver to contact and hold the medical device therein,
a first connector at the anterior end of the plate and a second connector at the posterior end of the plate;
and
a strap apparatus, adapted to attach around the body, to secure the bracket to the outside of the body cavity.

6 more elements

A method for securing a medical device within a body cavity comprising:

securing to an outside of the body cavity an immobilization device comprising,
a bracket, adapted to secure the medical device placed within a cavity in a body where some part of the medical device extends to an outside of the cavity, the bracket comprising,
a plate having an anterior end and a posterior end,
a channel wall on the plate that defines a receiver,
a slot within the channel wall through which the part of the medical device extending from the cavity passes into the receiver,
a bore through the channel wall that leads into the receiver,
a brace operably connected to the bore, where the brace is configured to advance through the bore and into the receiver to contact and hold the medical device therein,
a first connector at the anterior end of the plate and a second connector at the posterior end of the plate;
and
a strap apparatus, adapted to attach around the body;
utilizing the strap apparatus to secure the bracket to an outside of the body cavity,
engaging the part of the medical device extending from the body cavity with the receiver in the bracket, and
extending the brace through the bore and into the receiver until the brace contacts the part of the medical device within the receiver and until the part of the medical device within the receiver is secured in place.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Immobilization system to support an in vivo medical device

Life of this patent

Immobilization system to support an in vivo medical device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18